Championship Review: Brighton move top, Nugent hat-trick sinks Fulham

Brighton and Hove Albion edged closer to securing promotion as they leapfrogged Newcastle United to move top of the Championship with a 3-1 win over Birmingham City.

Yann Kermorgant followed up his stunning strike against Leeds United with a brace against relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers as Reading moved clear of fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds and Huddersfield Town.

David Nugent enjoyed a mixed outing at Pride Park as Fulham slumped to a 4-2 defeat to a resurgent Derby County, while Preston North End recorded a 5-0 victory over lowly Bristol City.

Sheffield Wednesday moved into the top six thanks to a 2-0 win at already-relegated Rotherham United.

SEAGULLS SOARING HIGH

Glenn Murray's second-minute effort ensured that Brighton got off to an ideal start against Birmingham, as Chris Hughton's men eased their way to the top of the table.

Quick-fire strikes from Tomer Hemed and Uwe Hunemeier put the result beyond all doubt early in the second half, though Che Adams did snatch a late consolation for the visitors.

The victory lifts Brighton onto 83 points, two clear of Newcastle - who host Burton Albion on Wednesday - and 10 clear of third-placed Reading, with a first return to top-flight football since 1983 seemingly all-but secured.

LEEDS AND FULHAM SLIP UP

It was bad news for Leeds and Fulham, as Kermorgant's double inspired Reading to a 3-1 win over a lacklustre Blackburn.

That result puts Reading on 73 points, four clear of Leeds - who went down 2-0 to two first-half goals from Brentford.

Fulham, meanwhile, dropped out of the play-off places as they were thumped by Derby, with Nugent netting three as well as missing a penalty.

PRESTON RUN RIOT AT DEEPDALE

Four goals in the space of 21 second-half minutes secured a comprehensive triumph for Preston over struggling Bristol City, who sit one point above the drop zone.

Simon Grayson's side are now five matches unbeaten in the league, and the Preston boss will be hopeful of closing further ground on the play-off places when his side travel to former employer's Leeds next time out.

Latest in
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep